Update on Ollie and possible request for thoughts/suggestions. Ollie has now been on 10 mg fluoxetine and 50 mg 2xday of trazadone a week and a half. He continues to eat well, take treats (somewhat consistently), and exhibit a greatly reduced amount of fear-based aggression, outside the home. We even took him on car rides this past weekend, and he reacted to nothing! And, when I take him on walks, Ive begun to see a bounce in his step Ive never seen! He also remains non-reactive to what would have previously been triggers while on walks. Super exciting! Where he seems to be struggling, though, is inside the house. He has become completely obsessed with the front door. When its closed, he barks, licks, jumps, sniffs, and chews at the door and the door frame. It is possible that field mice were walking around it in an attempt to get some heat (Ive seen at least one scurrying away from the door), so Ive sprayed everything down with Natures Miracle, Natures Miracle skunk remover, and bitter apple. I have tried letting him sit and look at the door with him on leash and the door open about a foot while offering treats, and when it is open like that, he doesnt react, nor does he take the treats. But, as soon as its closed, he generally repeats the aforementioned behaviors. Ive tried offering treats when he reacts, and he ignores them. Ive tried distracting him with his favorite toy, a stuffed log with removable squirrels inside. Ive tried taking the leash he generally trails in the house (per the vet behaviorists recommendation) and happily calling him away. Ive tried excitedly calling him away and treating and praising him tremendously when he does. This last method is what seems to be working most consistently. But he generally goes right back to it. Or, hell forget about it for a while, either to play with Clara or sleep, but then he returns. He has exhibited the same behavior when coming back in from a walk or pee break, so its definitely the door and not something he just thinks is on the other side. He can not see out the door as we have a film over the window. And, its the only external door in the house, so we have no alternatives for egress. Ive also tried blocking off the door when home by surrounding it with a wire gate we used to surround the Christmas tree, and he just finds ways to push around it, push it over, etc. And, theres no real way to leave it there when we leave. I worked from home for the past two days to try and work with him on it but couldnt today, and I fear coming home to a completely chewed up door frame. (We rent, so its an issue.) And, because of this, his fears in the house seem to be heightened as well. Hes been much more reactive to external sounds in the past few days. But as soon as I take him out for a walk, hes completely happy-go-lucky. I was truly amazed by the bounce in his gait yesterday! The behavioral vet suggested putting film on the windows, but weve already done that. And, we are meeting with a behavioral trainer tomorrow for the first time. (Ollie may or may not meet him tomorrow as well.) Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions (if thats appropriate with the group guidelines)? Oh, and the pic is him in his safe place. I was working in the kitchen yesterday, and he laid himself down there.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:20:18 +0000
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